The Virginia Voter Express Issue No

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Information for Vietnamese Voters

The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-27 (NVA) November 3, 2016

Information for Vietnamese Americans Voting in This Election

Do you know, or have friends who know, of any Vietnamese Americans who are eligible to vote in the upcoming election? They may be having difﬁculties understanding the process amid all the hype from the candidates. Genie Ngoc Le, of the "Voice of American Vietnamese Americans" has asked us to please circulate this article to Vietnamese Americans during this last week.

It provides critical information that would help undecided Vietnamese Americans to make the best choice. Since it is written in Vietnamese, voters need to be referred to our website to ﬁnd the article. Click Here to access the information to hand out or the following URL can be pasted into one’s browser < http://lwv- va.org/ﬁles/voterserv_2016_11_03_vietnameseltr_page.pdf >

0The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It inﬂuences public policy through education and advocacy. Copyright © 2016 League of Women Voters of Virginia|*, All rights reserved. In This Issue: View this email in your browser Please send this to all your friends and neighbors.

The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-27 November 6, 2016

Every Vote Counts. Period.

It’s time to make a plan to vote at the polls this Tuesday, November 8th. This year's election will be the first in over 50 years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act. Despite countless attempts to suppress voter turnout, people across Virginia are more motivated than ever to get to the polls -- to vote for racial justice, for immigration reform, for quality public schools and lowering student debt. The following information echoes a recent newsletter from the New Virginia Majority that we want to pass on. They are urging us to make a plan to ensure our voices are heard on all these issues. Are you ready to play your role in our democracy and exercise your right to vote? Here are some tips to help you prepare for this important and historic Election Day.

Do you have a plan?

Double check the weather. Be prepared for long lines!

Do you have a valid photo ID?

Virginia law now requires all voters to show an acceptable form of photo ID at the polls. You can apply for a FREE voter photo ID card at any voter registration office throughout the year, even on Election Day.

Do you know what’s on your ballot?

Knowing who and what you’re voting for before you get to the polls empowers you to make informed decisions for yourself and your community. Click here to find out what’s on your ballot in Virginia.

Have Questions? Call Election Protection Hotlines: English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) Asian languages: 1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Your future is in your hands. See you at the polls on Tuesday, November 8, 2016!

With Thanks to

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It inﬂuences public policy through education and advocacy. Copyright © 2016 League of Women Voters of Virginia|*, All rights reserved. In This Issue: View this email in your browser Keep the Good Work Going.

The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-28 November 12, 2016

The Struggle Continues

The long exhausting election cycle has ﬁnally ended, but the challenges continue, more intense than ever. The League of Women Voters of Virginia is proud of the stalwart defense of voting rights that we have helped advance during this election season

Leaguers all over the state spent hours helping people register to vote—at schools, farmers markets, naturalization ceremonies, grocery stores-- we encouraged them to vote online, we supported the extension of the registration period when process broke down. Starting back at the time of the primary, we found dozens of ways to send out information about voting times and places and voting regulations. We took part in a law suit to stop the purging of voters illegally. We set up local issue forums and candidate debates and meetings so as to accomplish our core mission of having voters be informed.

We think we can count on legislation being proposed during the next General Assembly that will try to limit access to the vote. The ﬁght to end gerrymandering will be reaching a critical stage. We have seen what has happened to voters in North Carolina, just across the border. We all must remain vigilant during this next legislative cycle. The League’s efforts to protect the vote has been going on for 96 years; we have had a lot of experience!!

If you are as determined as we are to keep ﬁghting for our long-held mission, give us even a small amount now so that we can keep operating.

Thank you,

Lois Page, Dianne Blais, Co-Presidents League of Women Voters of Virginia

Click Here to Donate. You may also copy and paste the following URL into your browser: < http://lwv- va.org/donate1.html >

Pre-Session Deadline is November 30 Abingdon League Hosts "Talk Backs" Why Should DC Become a State?

The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-30 November 24, 2016

The LWV-VA Board of Directors wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

WLRT Pre-Session Registration Deadline is November 30

Plans for this year’s Women’s Legislative Round Table have been ﬁnalized and the deadline for registration is upon us. If you haven’t already signed up for the luncheon, do so right away so you don’t miss sharing a meal with fellow civic activists and League friends on Dec. 7 in Richmond. Edgardo Cortes, Commissioner of the Department of Elections, will be the Keynote speaker at the luncheon. The following groups have signed up for the morning presentations.

Ric Brown Virginia Secretary of Finance Molly Ward Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Kenneth Gilliam Commonwealth Institute of Fiscal Analysis’ HAV Care Claire Guthrie-Gastanaga ACLU Edgar Aranda-Yanoc VA Coalition of Latino Organizations Brian Cannon OneVirginia2021 Megan Rhyne Virginia Coalition for Open Government (VCOG) Janice Craft-Henry, Women’s Equality Coalition Leslie Tourigny AAUW Candace Graham WomenMatter/ERA Kristine Hall VA Sexual and Domestic Violence Alliance Amy Woolard JustChildren, Legal Aid Justice Center Mira Signer National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia Andy Goddard Virginia Center for Public Safety (VACPS) James Parrish Equality Virginia Tram Nguyen Election Laws/Voter Protection

For more information or to register, Click Here or paste the following URL in your browser. http://www.lwv-va.org/ﬁles/wlrt_2016_10_20_registform.pdf

Abingdon League Hosts "Talk Backs"

Washington County League of Women Voters provided panelists for “Talk Backs” following October productions of Abingdon’s Barter Theater productions of “Winter Wheat,” by Catherine Bush. It is a musical about the vote by a Tennessee legislator that allowed the 19th Amendment to be implemented. Leaguers took the opportunity to talk about the League’s crucial role immediately following the granting of suffrage to women with their plan, still in place after 96 years, of educating and empowering all voters. Virginia State Board Co-President Lois Page, and Communications Director Ron Page were guests of Washington County President Merry Jennings for the Oct. 29 production. Lois had the opportunity to serve as a panelist and welcomed the chance to talk about the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial. They also explored with the play producers the idea of putting on the play in the northern Virginia area.

Panel members (l-r) Page, Jennings and Bush, answer questions and discuss the moral message of the production.

Why Should D.C. Become a State? Discuss!

Representatives from the State Board, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington Leagues recently met with D.C Leaguers to discuss their upcoming push for statehood which has been energized by the recent overwhelming vote in favor by D.C residents and the acceptance of a state Constitution. State Board Co-Presidents Lois Page and Dianne Blais urge local Leagues to consider putting on a program or discussion session using some of the materials suggested on the LWVUS website. Statehood for D.C. is an LWV priority. D.C. President Linda Beebe writes:

"Here is the link to the materials now on the LWV Management Site that will be useful in providing discussion information." http://forum.lwv.org/category/member-resources/our-work/voter-protection

Unfortunately, not everything is there yet, and we are hoping to package it in a different way. Right now you will ﬁnd the following materials:

Background Papers We are DC The Rights of DC Citizens Are in Your Hands How Does the World View Violations of Equal Participation for DC Citizens? The Changing Face of DC Governance Over Time Frequently Asked Questions About Statehood for the People of DC How the District of Columbia is Governed in 2016 Congressional Intervention in District of Columbia Local Affairs League of Women Voters Efforts to Achieve Full Voting Rights for the People of DC

End of Year Donations League Lobby Day Pre-Session a Success

The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-31 December 12, 2016

End of the Calendar Year; Not So for the League's Giving Year

Now is a great time to make a contribution to the LWV-VA Ed Fund and get that tax deduction for 2016. With the most successful Pre-Session ever under our belts, the registering of over 3,000 voters and the addition of a part-time administrative assistant, LWV-VA is on the move!

Help keep the momentum going, by contributing to the League. With your generous help, we’ll be able to do even more in the uncertain times ahead. Please give whatever you can. As we apply for grants, our chances of success increase if we have a high percentage of our members showing they care by contributing.

Become a “Democracy Buddy, Booster or Benefactor” and your name will appear in the 2017 convention booklet in June. Categories include: Democracy Buddy--$100 to $249 Democracy Booster--$250-$499 Democracy Benefactor--$500+

Click Here to donate to the General Fund (not tax deductible) or the Ed Fund (tax deductible).

Women’s Legislative Round Tables and League Lobby Day Offers Opportunities to Make Your Voice Heard

Join Leaguers from around the state as we gather in Richmond on February 1 for a day of lobbying on various issues coming before this session of the General Assembly. The day starts at 8:30 a.m. as we welcome legislators making brief talks about their priorities and plans, followed by visits to Delegate and Senate ofﬁces. Many other organizations will be in Richmond making their voices hear. Afterwards we will have lunch at the Tobacco Warehouse with members of other organizations.

However, Lobby Day is not the only day we hope to see you in Richmond. WLRTs are every Wednesday morning during the session: January 18 and 25, and Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22. You may be able to have your hotel and mileage paid for if you come the night before, attend a gathering of Leaguers to polish your lobbying “elevator speech," and then at least visit the ofﬁces of your Delegate and Senator. Stay tuned for details in the next few weeks.

Pre-Session Event Attracts Over 100 Attendees

An overﬂow crowd was on hand in Senate Room 3 of the State Capitol to hear presentations from 17 representatives of non- proﬁts and 4 Secretaries from the Governor’s Cabinet. This annual event, held on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and sponsored by LWV-VA, provides a unique opportunity for Leaguers and friends to learn what other groups will be advocating and what cabinet members expect will occur during the upcoming General Assembly.

Secretary of Finance Ric Brown, Secretary of Administration Nancy Rodrigues, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson, and Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Joseph Ward all thanked the League for its nonpartisan efforts for voter rights. Also in attendance was Commissioner of Elections Edgardo Cortes, who pointed out that this election a record number of Virginia voters registered online and voted.

According to Co-president Lois Page, upon the conclusion of the Pre-Session, “We were awed once again by the compassion, determination and dedication of these civic volunteer activists who want what is best for all their fellow Virginians.”

Voter Express Mailing List Watch For "Action Alerts"

The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-32 December 21, 2016

Voter Express Mailing List Updated

After numerous complaints about members not receiving the emails, we have undertaken a complete overhaul of our MailChimp mailing list. The line-by-line results revealed that over 250 League members were missing and now have been added back.

Many of you are receiving this edition of the Voter Express for the ﬁrst time or after an interruption of delivery. We feel it is important that you keep in touch with the many things happening that are important to the Virginia League. This is our main method of communication. Some members have opted out of subscribing in the past and may have inadvertently been re subscribed. Please accept our apologies and click unsubscribe at the bottom of the Voter Express issue or email us at [email protected]

Wishing you and yours happy holidays and a Happy New Year!

Watch for Action Alerts Throughout the 2017 General Assembly Session Beginning on January 11

Periodically bills of interest to the League, as indicated by our consensus positions, are introduced in the General Assembly. Action Alerts are issued along with talking points to use with your legislators, to be sure they are aware of where the League stands on those issues. Please watch for these alerts and immediately contact your legislator in person, by mail or by telephone. They appreciate hearing from their constituents.

You will hear the details shortly about how your League can earn money advocating for several of our priorities during the WLRT events: January 18, 25, and February 1, 8, and 15.

LWV-VA Is Looking for a New Legislative Coordinator

Carol Noggle, Legislative Coordinator, will be retiring from the Virginia Board on June 30, 2017, after many years of faithful service. In order to ensure a smooth transition with her successor, the Board is looking for a volunteer to “shadow” her during the upcoming legislative session of the General Assembly before taking over as a Board member in July.

The position, primarily between December and March, entails:

Testifying on selected legislation. Present League position on bills to legislative committees and elected ofﬁcials. Monitor action in committees and applicable meetings. Monitoring House and Senate daily sessions for legislators’ debate on applicable bills. Maintaining testimony ﬁles and legislator interviews. Coordinating selection of legislative priorities based on LL interest, input from state Board members, awareness of bills and issues likely to come up during the session, and legislation considered for initiation by LWV-VA.

Are you interested, or do you know someone who might be interested, in learning more about this opportunity, contact Carol [email protected], Sherry Zachry [email protected], Lois Page at [email protected].